Tenders for a feasibility study for the development of a National Design Innovation Centre in South East Ireland

Tender description

The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and Kilkenny Local Authority invite tenders and proposals from suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to undertake a feasibility study to objectively examine the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the proposed development of a National Design Innovation Centre in the South East of Ireland. The remit of the research project includes: Developing a business case for the feasibility of and demonstrable need for a National Design Innovation Centre based in Kilkenny; Presenting an overview of the proposed model and the impact such a centre could have on business, innovation, skills development, cultural, tourism and the economic development of Kilkenny, the South East and Ireland as a whole; Establishing the type of infrastructural supports that are required to attract FDI to the region; Assessing the potential impact on job creation for the region through the NDIC, FDI and potential spill-over effects; Investigating the level of current 3rd level provision for design innovation nationally and regionally and identifying any gaps or opportunities that may inhibit and or enhance future development; Analysing similar models developed nationally and internationally in order to learn from their experience, and provide benchmark metrics; Exploring the potential impact of such a centre from social and community perspectives; Assessing the key risks to the project including constraints, external influences and legislation; Examining the financial feasibility and resourcing required of the development in the short, medium and long term to include both capital investment and projected operational costs; Identifying any future funding opportunities through EU funding mechanisms; Developing a series of recommendations outlining next steps for implementation of the proposed model including an estimated timeline for development;